Pace of Kohli knock has given India extra crucial session: Mayank

India opener Mayank Agarwal said that the unbeaten double ton from Virat Kohli and the mammoth 601-5 first innings total has given his side a massive advantage.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja piled agony on South Africa by forging a 225-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

As India took charge of the second Test against South Africa, putting up a mammoth 601-5, Mayank Agarwal agrees that the crucial fifth wicket partnership between captain Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja did put the team in the driver’s seat.

“It’s not just the amount of runs but at what pace those runs have come has made a huge difference. It has given the team extra session and half which becomes very crucial,” Mayank said after the day’s play.

Elaborating on the 225-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Jadeja and Kohli, Mayank said: “It was fabulous and almost run a-ball 230 odd, which is fabulous. If you are looking to win games, then you want to have that time to get 20 wickets.”

Earlier in the day, Kohli -- who remained unbeaten on 254 -- also forged a 178-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ajinkya Rahane.

Even that had a long-lasting impact. “They didn’t give opposition a wicket in the first session and that put us in driver’s seat and we could do what we did in the second season,” Mayank, who also scored a ton on Thursday pointed out.

But, even the youngster agreed that it was a ‘top class knock’ Kohli -- who hammered his seventh double century in Tests.

“It’s no joke and way he is batting is tremendous. The positivity and intent he gets is fabulous. The record and his scores, proves everything that we all need to see…” the young batsman from Karnataka said.

With South Africa already losing three wickets, it will be a challenge for the side to last for the next three days.

And that Mayank, feels gives India the edge.

“The way our bowlers are bowling, its tremendous. We are testing them, we are asking them those tough questions. Having 600 on board gives us that much more time, also gives the leverage to keep attacking fields and keep putting pressure on them,” he stated.